As Chicago's biggest and most popular gay bar, Sidetrack has become a mainstay of the Halsted scene. If you're looking for a place to meet that special someone or just hang out with friends any night of the week, this place is as good as any. The space is huge, but divided into four or five rooms that give it a more intimate feel.

Video screens in every room play anything from disco videos to SNL comedy sketches. Most nights have a video theme (did we mention that Sidetrack considers itself Chicago's premier video bar?); some of the more popular are showtune Mondays and comedy Thursdays.

The bars are well stocked and there are definitely enough of them throughout the space to prevent long lines (rumor once had it that Sidetrack sells more Absolut Vodka than any other bar in America). Sidetrack whips up a number of fun frozen drinks: The "mandarin mash" and "currant crush" are a couple of my favorites.

Add this one to your summer roster...there's a lovely rooftop deck (with its own bar, of course) that seats 350.